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Heavenly Father’s Best Gift

Prophets promised Jesus would come, and on the first Christmas He did: we act out the Nativity and give Him a gift

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–7
  • Week 52
  • 📅 Sunday, December 27, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Heavenly Father gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.

I can give Jesus a gift by following Him every day.

Come, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Christmas)
Know the chapters

This week wraps up a whole year in the Old Testament, and the manual’s theme comes from Isaiah 25:9: “we have waited for him, and he will save us.” All year, prophets pointed ahead to Jesus Christ. Isaiah said “unto us a child is born” (Isaiah 9:6). Micah named Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Even Christmas decorations can remind us of Him: a star (“there shall come a Star out of Jacob,” Numbers 24:17), a lamb (“God will provide himself a lamb,” Genesis 22:8), a shepherd (“The LORD is my shepherd,” Psalm 23:1) and a light (“The LORD is my light,” Psalm 27:1).

Then the promises came true. The angel Gabriel visited Mary (Luke 1:26–38). Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn (Luke 2:1–7). Angels announced His birth to shepherds, who hurried to find Him (Luke 2:8–20). Later, wise men followed a star and brought Him gifts (Matthew 2:1–11). In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite had promised a night without darkness, and it happened just as he said, the night before Jesus was born (Helaman 14:2–6; 3 Nephi 1:13–21).

For 4- to 7-year-olds, the Nativity is the heart of the lesson. Let every child be part of it. The big idea is simple: Jesus is Heavenly Father’s gift to us, and we can give Him a gift back. Your 7-year-olds will soon promise at baptism to always remember Jesus and keep His commandments. That promise, kept every day, is one of the best gifts anyone can give Him.

Baby Jesus is always a doll or a rolled-up blanket. No child plays Jesus or Heavenly Father. Tiny class? One child can play several parts. Big class full of cousins? Add more angels and sheep. Keep the ending quiet and reverent: this is a lovely day to share your testimony of the Savior.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:1–20 and Isaiah 9:6. Wrap a towel into a “baby” for the manger (or tap “I brought nothing”). Let Teach Mode carry the Nativity Drama, teach the Isaiah 9:6 motions, and play Forehead Guess. End by asking each child to whisper one gift they will give Jesus this year.

What to bring6 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Put the star, light, lamb and wrapped gift in a bag so the kids can’t see inside.
  2. Wrap the doll in the blanket. Put a towel in the basket or box for hay. Set the manger at the front of the room.
  3. Wrap an empty small box to pass during Talk It Over.
  4. Cut one paper heart or gift tag per child and set out crayons.
  5. Pick a 6- or 7-year-old reader for the Angel Gabriel and one for the Angel Choir leader. Their lines are short and happy.
  6. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap.

If your class is wild

  • Holiday sugar and new toys are real. If they arrive bouncing, start with Nativity Freeze, then open the clue bag.
  • Only Mary touches Baby Jesus. Everyone else can look, but whisper, “Shh, He’s sleeping.” It keeps the Nativity sweet.
  • Visiting cousins? Put them right into the drama as extra shepherds and angels. Nobody should sit out.
  • Sheep crawl slowly and softly. Any bumping sheep become statue sheep for one scene.
  • Use a whisper as your attention signal today: when you whisper “Silent night…” everyone whispers back “…Jesus is born” and freezes.

The 25-minute plan23 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Christmas Clue Bag

3 min

Everyday Christmas things become clues that point to Jesus, and pulling them from a bag builds suspense.

  1. Hold up the bag. Say: “Inside are Christmas things. Each one is a clue about Jesus!”
  2. Let a child pull out one thing at a time. Ask: “How does this remind us of Jesus?”
  3. Help with each one. Star: a prophet said a star would come, and a star led the wise men. Light: “The LORD is my light.” Lamb: Jesus is called the Lamb of God. Gift: Jesus is Heavenly Father’s gift to us.
  4. SAY“Christmas is full of clues about Jesus. Today we celebrate the night He was born!”
🌪️ Only the child you call reaches in the bag. Everyone else sits on their hands and guesses with a whisper.

Class screen: 🎄 Every clue points to Jesus! · ⭐ Star · 💡 Light · 🐑 Lamb · 🎁 Gift

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A bag with 3 or 4 Christmas things or pictures: a star, a light (a flashlight or a candle-shaped ornament), a toy lamb or sheep, and a small wrapped gift

Christmas Clue Shapes

  1. SAY“Let’s turn into Christmas clues! Each one reminds us of Jesus.”
  2. Star: everyone stretches arms and legs out wide. Say: “A prophet promised a star, and a star led the wise men to Jesus.”
  3. Light: wiggle fingers like twinkly lights. Say: “The scriptures say, ‘The LORD is my light.’” Lamb: everyone baas softly. Say: “Jesus is called the Lamb of God.”
  4. Gift: everyone hugs a big pretend present. Say: “Jesus is Heavenly Father’s best gift to us. Today we celebrate the night He was born!”

Class screen: 🎄 Be a Christmas clue! · ⭐ Star · 💡 Light · 🐑 Lamb · 🎁 Gift

2. Story

Nativity Drama: The First Christmas

6 min

Every child takes part in the Nativity, so the story of Jesus’s birth becomes something they did, not just heard.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Add costumes if you brought them. Everyone without a role is a sheep, and one child is the Star.
  2. Keep Baby Jesus wrapped up by you until scene 5, then hand Him to Mary. Nobody plays Jesus.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 5, lower your voice and let the room get very quiet.
  5. End kneeling quietly at scene 8. Whisper: “How do you think the shepherds felt?”
🌪️ Sheep crawl slowly and softly. Any sheep that bumps becomes a sleeping sheep for one scene.

Class screen: 🎭 Nativity time! Everyone gets a part · 👼 👩 🧔‍♂️ 🧑‍🌾 🐑 ⭐ 🎁

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A baby doll, or a hand towel rolled up in a small blanket, for Baby Jesus, A laundry basket or small box with a towel in it for the manger

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Everyone without a role is a sheep, and one child is the Star with twinkly fingers.
  2. Two kids sit facing each other with arms joined in a low circle. That’s the manger.
  3. At scene 5, Mary folds her arms and gently rocks them as if holding a sleeping baby, then pretends to lay Him in the manger. Nobody plays Jesus.
  4. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue. Lower your voice at scene 5 and let the room get very quiet.
  5. End kneeling quietly at scene 8. Whisper: “How do you think the shepherds felt?”
3. Wiggle break

Nativity Freeze

2 min

A dance-and-freeze game reviews the Nativity with bodies instead of words.

  1. Tap Freeze Dance. Everyone dances while the music plays.
  2. When it stops, call out a Christmas shape and everyone freezes as it: a sheep · a shepherd with a staff · an angel with wings · a twinkling star · a wise man kneeling with a gift.
  3. Tap to start the music again. Play 5 or 6 rounds.
  4. Finish with the angel shape and everyone says, “Glory to God!”
🌪️ Dance in your own space bubble. Bump someone? Your next shape is a sleeping sheep.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 💃 Dance! Freeze like a Christmas shape! · 🐑 👼 ⭐ 🧑‍🌾 🎁

4. Scripture

Unto Us a Child Is Born: Isaiah 9:6

3 min

Motions help them remember that prophets knew about Jesus long before He was born.

  1. SAY“Isaiah wrote these words hundreds of years before the first Christmas.”
  2. Show the verse and read it slowly. Everyone points to the manger (or Mary’s arms) when they hear “a child is born.”
  3. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Let a reader read it on their own.
  4. Say it three ways: in a lullaby whisper, in a normal voice, then like the angel choir.
  5. Ask: “Who is the child? Who gave Him to us?” (Jesus! Heavenly Father!)

Class screen: 👶 Unto us a child is born! · Isaiah 9:6

5. Game

Forehead Guess: Nativity Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style game reviews every person and picture from the Nativity, and pre-readers can play by acting.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. The guesser holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. The class gives clues without saying the word, or acts it out: baa for Sheep, wings for Angel, twinkle fingers for Star.
  3. The guesser tilts your phone or tablet down for “got it” and up to pass. Each turn lasts about 45 seconds.
  4. When a 4- or 5-year-old guesses, give them a big buddy who stands beside them and helps.
🌪️ Clue-givers stay sitting on their spot. Use the Name Spinner to pick each new guesser.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues. Don’t say the word!

6. Game

Tug of War: Shepherds vs. Wise Men

3 minBONUS

A quick burst of team energy for a big holiday crowd.

  1. Split the class into Shepherds and Wise Men, mixing big and little kids.
  2. Tap Tug of War. Each team taps its side of your phone or tablet as fast as it can.
  3. Winners say, “Jesus is born!” Losers say, “Glory to God!” Then switch sides and play again.
🌪️ Tapping fingers only, no pushing. Three or four tappers per side at a time; everyone else cheers.
🪢 Tug of War (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🪢 Shepherds vs. Wise Men! · 🧑‍🌾 vs 🎁

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. Split into two teams, mixing big kids and little kids on each team. Tap Scripture Showdown to start.
  2. Read each question and the picture choices aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

8. Talk it over

Pass the Present

2 min

A Christmas party game gets every child talking about Jesus.

  1. Sit in a circle. Tap Hot Potato and pass the wrapped box while the music plays.
  2. When it buzzes, whoever holds it answers the question on the screen. Little ones can answer with one word. Share your own answer too.
💬 Ask the class
  • What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?
  • How do you think the shepherds felt when they saw Baby Jesus?
  • What Christmas thing reminds you of Jesus?
  • Heavenly Father gave us Jesus. What gift could you give Jesus?
🌪️ Hand it to the next person, never toss it. If someone gets it twice, they choose a friend to answer instead.
🥔 Hot Potato (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🎁 Pass the present! · Music = pass · Buzz = answer

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: An empty small wrapped box to pass during Talk It Over

  1. Sit in a circle. Hold out your hands like you’re carrying a big present. Tap Hot Potato and pass the invisible present hand to hand while the music plays.
  2. When it buzzes, whoever holds it pretends to peek inside and answers the question on the screen. Share your own answer too.
9. Testimony

A Gift for Jesus

3 min

End quiet and reverent, with each child choosing a real gift to give the Savior.

  1. Gather around the manger. Lower your voice. Say: “The wise men gave Jesus their best gifts. We can give Him gifts too: being kind, praying, telling the truth, sharing, forgiving.”
  2. Each child draws a gift on a paper heart or tag (readers can write it) and quietly lays it by the manger.
  3. SAY“When you’re baptized, you’ll promise to always remember Jesus. Keeping that promise every day is a gift that lasts all year.”
  4. Share one or two sentences about how you know Jesus is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift. Then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 💝 What gift will I give Jesus? · Be kind 💗 · Pray 🙏 · Share 🤝 · Forgive 🕊️

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: One paper heart or paper gift tag per child, and crayons

  1. Gather in a circle. Lower your voice. Say: “The wise men gave Jesus their best gifts. We can give Him gifts too: being kind, praying, telling the truth, sharing, forgiving.”
  2. Each child cups their hands, whispers a gift into them, and gently sets it in the middle of the circle.
  3. SAY“When you’re baptized, you’ll promise to always remember Jesus. Keeping that promise every day is a gift that lasts all year.”
  4. Share one or two sentences about how you know Jesus is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift. Then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Story drama

The First Christmas

Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20; Matthew 2:1–11 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • Angel GabrielA reader! Visits Mary and says, “Fear not!”
  • MaryTravels to Bethlehem and gently lays Baby Jesus (the doll) in the manger.
  • JosephWalks with Mary, knocks at the inn and takes care of the little family.
  • InnkeeperShakes their head: “Sorry, no room!” and points to the stable.
  • ShepherdsWatch their sheep, cover their eyes at the bright light, then hurry to Jesus.
  • Angel ChoirRaise arms high and say, “Glory to God!”
  • Wise MenFollow the star and kneel with gifts.
  • Sheep & StarEveryone else: baa as sheep, and one child twinkles as the star.

Scenes

  1. 📜⏳ Prophets promised: Jesus is coming!

    For a long, long time, prophets like Isaiah and Micah promised that Heavenly Father would send His Son. People waited and waited. Was the promise almost here?

    🎬 Everyone crouches low and whispers, “Wait for it…”

  2. 👼👩 An angel visits Mary

    One day the angel Gabriel came to a young woman named Mary. He told her not to be afraid. She would have a baby, He would be the Son of God, and His name would be Jesus.

    🎬 Gabriel spreads arms wide: “Fear not!” Mary bows her head: “I will do what God wants.”

  3. 🚶🏘️ The long trip to Bethlehem

    Mary and Joseph traveled all the way to Bethlehem, the little town from Micah’s promise. They were very tired, and they needed a place to rest.

    🎬 Mary and Joseph walk slowly around the room. Everyone pats knees: “Step… step… step…”

  4. 🚪🙅 No room at the inn

    Bethlehem was full of people. There was no room for them at the inn. So Mary and Joseph stayed in a place where animals were kept.

    🎬 Joseph knocks three times. Innkeeper shakes head: “No room!” and points to the stable.

  5. 👶🌾 Baby Jesus is born!

    That night, Baby Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him in soft cloths and laid Him in a manger, a box that holds hay for animals. Heavenly Father’s Son had come!

    🎬 Mary gently lays Baby Jesus in the manger. Everyone whispers, “Shh… He’s here.”

  6. 🐑👼 Angels tell the shepherds!

    Out in the fields, shepherds watched their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared, and a bright light shone! The angel told them the good news: a Savior was born that very day! Then the whole sky filled with angels praising God.

    🎬 Shepherds cover their eyes. The Angel Choir raises arms: “Glory to God!” Sheep baa.

  7. 🏃🐑 The shepherds hurry to Jesus

    The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Baby Jesus lying in the manger, just like the angel said. Then they told everyone the happy news!

    🎬 Shepherds speed-walk to the manger and kneel. Then they stand and tell a friend, “Jesus is born!”

  8. ⭐🎁 Wise men follow the star

    Later, wise men followed a bright star to find young Jesus. They knelt and gave Him their best gifts. We can give Jesus gifts too, by loving and following Him.

    🎬 The Star leads the Wise Men to Mary. Everyone kneels and puts a hand on their heart.

Key verse

Isaiah 9:6 ↗
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given”
In kid words: A baby was born for us! Jesus is Heavenly Father’s gift to us.
🙌 “For unto us” = point to everyone in the room · “a child is born” = rock a baby in your arms · “unto us a son is given” = hold out both hands like you’re giving a present

More verses

Luke 2:11 ↗
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
In kid words: Today, in Bethlehem, a Savior is born for you: Jesus Christ!
Isaiah 25:9 ↗
“we have waited for him, and he will save us”
In kid words: We waited and waited for Jesus, and He will save us.
Psalm 27:1 ↗
“The LORD is my light”
In kid words: Jesus is my light, like a bright Christmas light.
Psalm 23:1 ↗
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
In kid words: Jesus takes care of me like a shepherd takes care of sheep.

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 👩 Mary
  • 🧔‍♂️ Joseph
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🌾 Manger
  • 👼 Angel
  • 🧑‍🌾 Shepherd
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🔭 Wise Men
  • 🎁 Present
  • 🏨 Inn
  • 👑 Crown
  • 💡 Light
  • 🎄 Christmas Tree
  • 🕯️ Candle
  • 📜 Isaiah
Clues for each word
  • Mary: Jesus’s mother
  • Joseph: He took care of Mary and Baby Jesus
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Manger: Baby Jesus’s first bed, full of hay
  • Angel: Told the shepherds the good news
  • Shepherd: Takes care of sheep in the fields
  • Sheep: Baa! Fluffy and white
  • Star: Led the wise men to Jesus
  • Wise Men: Followed the star and brought gifts
  • Present: Something you give with love
  • Inn: It had no room for Mary and Joseph
  • Crown: The wise men came looking for the new King
  • Light: “The LORD is my…”
  • Christmas Tree: We decorate it in December
  • Candle: A small flame that glows in the dark
  • Isaiah: Prophet who said, “Unto us a child is born”
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Who came to tell Mary about Baby Jesus?
    • A. 👼 An angel
    • B. 🐟 A fish
    • C. 👑 A king
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👼 An angel The angel Gabriel visited Mary (Luke 1:26–38).

  2. In what town was Jesus born?
    • A. 🏙️ A giant city
    • B. 🏘️ Bethlehem
    • C. 🏝️ An island
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🏘️ Bethlehem Little Bethlehem, just like Micah promised!

  3. Where did Mary lay Baby Jesus?
    • A. ⛵ In a boat
    • B. 🏰 In a castle
    • C. 🌾 In a manger
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🌾 In a manger There was no room in the inn, so He slept in a manger (Luke 2:7).

  4. Who heard the angels in the fields at night?
    • A. 🧑‍🌾 Shepherds
    • B. 🎣 Fishermen
    • C. 👷 Builders
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🧑‍🌾 Shepherds The shepherds were watching their sheep (Luke 2:8).

  5. What led the wise men to Jesus?
    • A. 🗺️ A map
    • B. ⭐ A star
    • C. 🔦 A flashlight
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ⭐ A star The star went before them until it stopped over Jesus (Matthew 2:9).

  6. Isaiah said, “Unto us a child is…”
    • A. 😴 sleepy
    • B. 🔍 lost
    • C. 👶 born
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 👶 born Isaiah 9:6. He knew about Jesus hundreds of years early!

  7. Who is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift to us?
    • A. 🧸 A new toy
    • B. ✨ Jesus Christ
    • C. ❄️ Snow
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ✨ Jesus Christ Heavenly Father sent His Son to be our Savior.

  8. What gift can we give Jesus?
    • A. 💗 Following Him every day
    • B. 🪨 A shiny rock
    • C. 🙅 Nothing
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 💗 Following Him every day Being kind, praying and keeping our promises are gifts He loves.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Away in a Manger Children’s Songbook, p. 42

    Sing it softly around the manger after the Nativity Drama. Find it ↗

  • He Sent His Son Children’s Songbook, p. 34

    Tells how Heavenly Father showed His love by sending Jesus, today’s big idea. Find it ↗

  • Stars Were Gleaming Children’s Songbook, p. 37

    A gentle Christmas song that fits the star and the calm ending. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

My Gift for Jesus

Take your gift heart home and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day, like the fridge or your bedroom door. Each day this week, give Jesus your gift, then tell your family how you did it.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we acted out the first Christmas and learned that prophets promised Jesus would come long before He was born: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift to us, and each child chose a gift to give Jesus. Ask your child: what gift did you choose, and how will you give it this week? Next Sunday we start the New Testament!

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

📖 Old Testament Look-Back · 4 min

  1. SAY“This year we learned about lots of prophets who pointed to Jesus.” Name a few: Noah, Moses, Isaiah, Micah, Malachi.
  2. Kids act out one quick moment for each (building the ark, parting the sea, writing a scroll).
  3. Ask: “What was your favorite Old Testament story this year?” Then say: “Next week we start the New Testament, all about Jesus’s life!”

🔍 Christmas Clue Match · 4 min

  1. Read these short verses one at a time: “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1) · “The LORD is my light” (Psalm 27:1) · “there shall come a Star out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17) · “God will provide himself a lamb” (Genesis 22:8).
  2. After each one, kids act out the picture: shepherd, light, star or lamb.
  3. Ask: “How is Jesus like a shepherd? A light? A star? A lamb?”

🎄 Christmas Traditions That Point to Jesus · 3 min

  1. Ask: “What does your family do at Christmas?”
  2. For each tradition, ask: “How could this help us remember Jesus?” (Lights = Jesus is the light, gifts = Heavenly Father’s gift, serving = doing what Jesus did.)
  3. Invite each child to share one new tradition idea with their family, like serving a neighbor.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All CTR 4–7 lessons